By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. AG asks Sup. Ct. to decide tribal water case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has asked the state Supreme Court to decide the rights of two Oklahoma-based American Indian tribes to water in two major streams in their historic territories in southeastern Oklahoma.
Pruitt filed an application on behalf of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Friday asking the state's highest court to assume jurisdiction over a comprehensive stream adjudication of the water rights of the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations.
The tribes filed a federal lawsuit against the state in August. It seeks an injunction to stop the board from selling water storage rights to Sardis Lake in southeastern Oklahoma to the Oklahoma City Water Utility Trust.
In a statement, Governor Mary Fallin says her goal is to work with lawmakers and the tribes to develop a statewide water policy.